On a secluded path, a group of people moved silently, the atmosphere unusually tense.

Suddenly, Yan Qing, a lithe bodyguard in the group, reined in his horse and stopped, his eyes scanning the surrounding darkness with sharp intensity.

"Your Highness, I feel like someone is watching us all the time." Yan Qing's voice was deep and firm. He gripped his long sword tightly, ready to deal with any unexpected situation.

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuehua frowned slightly and said, "How about we split into two groups? You lead one team, and I'll lead the other." Her voice was calm and decisive, as if lighting a lamp in the darkness.

Yan Qing hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded. "Alright, Your Highness, you go first, I'll cover the rear." His words revealed his respect and protectiveness towards Xu Yuehuai.

However, Xu Yuehuai shook her head, her eyes gleaming with wisdom. "If anyone should be covering the retreat, it should be me. We'll split up and go in two directions. Once we shake off the people chasing us, we'll meet up in the next town." Her voice was incredibly firm and left no room for argument.

Yan Qing clasped his hands in obedience and said no more. The two of them quickly arranged their troops, each leading a group of men, and quietly dispersed.

Time ticked by, and the first rays of dawn began to break through the sky. Xu Yuehuai's team had already traveled quite a distance, but she remained vigilant. Just then, she suddenly stopped, her eyes scanning the surrounding darkness with sharp intensity.

"Stop following me, come out." Xu Yuehuai's gaze was cold, as if she had already seen through everything in the darkness.

The five secret guards immediately emerged from the shadows, protecting Xu Yuehuai like five ghosts.

Then, the person who had been hiding in the shadows slowly revealed himself; it was a masked man dressed in black. His eyes gleamed with a cold light, like a hungry beast eyeing its prey.

"I didn't expect the princess to have discovered me so soon." The man in black's voice was deep and hoarse, as if it came from the depths of the earth.

Xu Yuehua smiled slightly, her eyes revealing a calm and composed demeanor.

"Who sent you?"

The man in black sneered, "Then let the princess go to the underworld and ask King Yama." As soon as he finished speaking, he moved, and a cold light rushed straight towards Xu Yuehuai.

Xu Yuehuai reacted swiftly, her dagger instantly meeting the attack. The two collided, producing a crisp metallic clang.

Upon seeing this, two of the guards immediately rushed forward to protect Xu Yuehuai, while the other three launched an attack on the man in black.

However, the man in black moved with unusual unpredictability. In a flash, he bypassed the attacks of the three guards and appeared before Xu Yuehuai. The weapon in his hand was a longsword, its blade gleaming with a chilling light.

"Clang clang!"

Upon seeing this, Xu Yuehuai's two bodyguards immediately engaged the man in black in combat. However, they were no match for him.

With a single swing of his sword, the man in black sent two guards flying. They crashed heavily to the ground, spitting blood, clearly seriously injured.

Xu Yuehuai was startled upon seeing this. But she did not back down; instead, she gripped the dagger in her hand and charged towards the man in black. Her movements were swift and agile, like a cheetah hunting its prey.

However, the man in black seemed to have anticipated Xu Yuehuai's move. He dodged Xu Yuehuai's attack with a swift movement. Immediately afterward, he threw a punch straight at Xu Yuehuai's chest.

Seeing this, Xu Yuehuai quickly dodged to the side. However, the man in black was much faster than her. She only had time to slightly turn her body before she felt a tremendous force strike her. She was sent flying by the man in black's punch and crashed heavily to the ground.

"Your Highness!" The five bodyguards exclaimed in surprise upon seeing this. They immediately rushed forward and helped Xu Yuehuai up.

Xu Yuehuai coughed a few times, a trickle of blood escaping from the corner of her mouth. But she paid no attention to her injuries, instead staring intently at the man in black.

"You're number one on the assassin list, aren't you, Black Hawk!" Her voice carried a cold yet resolute tone.

The man in black laughed loudly upon hearing this, "Your Highness is joking. How could I possibly be on the assassin's list?" His voice revealed a disdain and mockery.

However, Xu Yuehuai was not fooled by his words. She carefully observed the man in black's movements and expressions and suddenly discovered his flaw.

“You’re left-handed, your right arm was injured, and you’re using the Xuanming Sword. Who else could it be but Black Hawk?” Her tone revealed a sense of confidence and composure.

The man in black was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"I originally intended to spare your life, but now that you've guessed my identity, you're doomed to die today!" His eyes revealed a cruel and ruthless look.

As soon as he finished speaking, he moved and charged towards Xu Yuehuai with his sword in hand.

Seeing this, the five elite guards once again stood in front of Xu Yuehuai. However, even if all of them combined, they were no match for Black Hawk!

Black Hawk used his inner strength to suddenly swing his sword!

"Whoosh!"

All five bodyguards were sent flying, utterly unable to fight back. They lay on the ground, their fates unknown.

Seeing this, Xu Yuehuai gripped the dagger in her hand tightly, preparing for a final battle with the man in black.

However, at that moment, a figure suddenly emerged from the shadows and blocked Xu Yuehuai's path.

"Princess, don't panic, I'm here to help you!"

That was a familiar voice—it was Yan Qing!

He wielded a long sword and engaged in a fierce battle with the man in black.

Xu Yuehuai was overjoyed at the sight. She knew Yan Qing was powerful, and with him present, she had a chance to survive. So she immediately got up from the ground, ready to fight the man in black alongside Yan Qing.

However, at that moment, the man in black suddenly stopped and took a few steps back. He coldly looked at Xu Yuehuai and Yan Qing and said, "I'll let you go for now! But the next time we meet will be your death day!" After saying that, he disappeared into the darkness in a flash.

Xu Yuehuai and Yan Qing breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this, but then they nervously began to check their surroundings again.

After confirming that everything was safe, Yan Qing said, "Your Highness, we must leave here immediately."

Xu Yuehuai asked, "What about the injured?"

"To avoid being tracked down by other enemies, it seems we have no choice but to travel with the other five guards."

“Alright,” Xu Yuehuai went to check on the injured man. “They are not in any danger. We’ll help him into the bushes and then leave.”

The night was as dark as ink. Xu Yuehuai and Yan Qing moved through the grass, carefully placing the injured guards on the soft grass.

They moved with extreme caution, afraid of disturbing the injured person who was regaining consciousness.